Greeting by Cardinal Kurt Koch

Dear members of the Committee of the Global Christian Forum,

I am pleased to welcome you to the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity as you gather here in Rome for your annual meeting. I am grateful for your presence at the Dicastery and for the opportunity to greet you. Your coming together in this city, so rich in the memory of the apostles Peter and Paul, reminds us that Christian unity is not merely an abstract ideal, but a concrete calling rooted in the witness of those who gave their lives for the Gospel. It is in this same spirit that your work in the Global Christian Forum seeks to foster relationships, deepen mutual understanding, and encourage a shared commitment to the unity for which our Lord Jesus Christ prayed: “that they may all be one” (John 17:21).

The Catholic Church has participated in the activities of the Global Christian Forum since its beginnings, recognizing its importance for ecumenical work. Indeed, the Forum has offered a unique and valuable space within the broader ecumenical context. It brings together a wide range of Christian traditions – some of which have not historically been part of formal ecumenical structures – and creates an environment where encounter forms the basis upon which dialogue can grow, and where personal relationships become the foundation for spiritual and theological exchange.

This distinctive approach is particularly significant in our time. We live in a world marked by fragmentation, polarization, and often a weakening of trust between individuals and communities. In such a context, the simple yet profound act of listening to one another’s stories of faith becomes a powerful witness. The sharing of faith journeys, which is at the heart of the Global Christian Forum’s ecumenical experience, allows us to recognize the work of the Holy Spirit in one another and to rediscover that, despite our divisions, we are already united in Christ through baptism and faith.

I would like to underline in a particular way the importance of the Global Christian Forum for the promotion of ecumenism in the Pentecostal and Evangelical world. These communities represent a vibrant and rapidly growing part of global Christianity. Their emphasis on personal conversion, the authority of Scripture, and the active presence of the Holy Spirit offers important gifts to the whole Body of Christ.

At the same time, the integration of Pentecostal and Evangelical communities into the ecumenical movement has not always been easy and has at times been marked by misunderstanding, distance, or even tension. In this regard, the Global Christian Forum has played – and continues to play – a crucial role. By creating a space where leaders and faithful from a wide range of Christian traditions can meet one another in a spirit of openness and trust, the Forum helps to overcome prejudices and to build bridges where previously there were few connections.

The Catholic Church deeply values this contribution. We appreciate the Global Christian Forum because it complements the work of more formal theological dialogues. While such dialogues remain essential, they must be accompanied by encounters at the level of lived faith, friendship, and shared witness. The Forum reminds us that ecumenism is not only about agreements on doctrine, but also about conversion of heart, mutual recognition of different faith experiences, and walking together as disciples of Christ.

By offering an “open space” for encounter among diverse Christian traditions, the Global Christian Forum promotes an inclusive vision of ecumenism, reaching out to those who may feel on the margins of traditional structures and inviting them into a common journey. In doing so, it reflects a profoundly evangelical intuition: that unity grows by widening the circle of encounter. The experience of the Global Christian Forum thus stands as a powerful sign of unity across denominational boundaries, showing that one can remain faithful to one’s own tradition while being open to the gifts of others.

Although you are not able to meet Pope Leo XIV during your stay in Rome, as he is currently engaged in an apostolic pilgrimage in Africa, I would like to highlight his strong commitment to Christian unity. His papal motto, In illo Uno unum (“In the One, we are one”), expresses the conviction that Christians find their unity in Christ and, in Him, become one despite their diversity – an insight that resonates deeply with the work of the Global Christian Forum.

I encourage you to persevere along the path shaped by the experience of the Global Christian Forum, trusting in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As you carry forward your work, be assured of the support of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity. May the Lord bless your efforts, and may the Holy Spirit lead all Christians ever closer to that full communion which is both His gift and His will.

Thank you, and may God bless you all,